# Solar FREAKIN' Roadways! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 23, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129 "2014-05-23T22:11:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/181 "2016-04-24T01:21:52Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Thanks for the updates. I’ve kind of gotten a case of the ass about anything that includes “crowdfunding.” I still haven’t gotten my patch from Bill Nye’s Solar Sail plan. Think about it. If it’s worthwhile and the people proposing it are qualified, then venture capital should be forthcoming and crowdfunding should be unnecessary. That leaves the pie in the sky proposals by people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing. Note that I’m not talking about crowdfunding for charitable causes, just business proposals like “Solar Freakin’ Roadways”. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2016, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/182 "2016-04-24T03:25:32Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > There haven’t been enough comedy engineering projects of late. We could do the sums / study of basic physics and realize it won’t work. But just this once I’m kinda looking forward to seeing it play out. Actually seeing a mile or two of road getting built, and all the obvious problems that will be encountered. > > They’ll be a desperate attempt to spin it as a success, while at the same time quietly announcing that plans to roll out the system for hundreds of miles of road are being postponed…with a “we’ll get back to you” new ETA. There was the impossible underwater rebreather a couple of weeks ago. The subreddit /r/shittykickstarters is a great place to keep abreast of all of the pseudoscientific crowdfunding scams. My favorite game to play with these is “ignorance or malice”. Are these people cynically trying to rake in a buck or are they genuinely delusional that their cause will work? The solar roadways people have been at this long enough that I’m really starting to suspect they don’t have a clue about the physics or engineering and genuinely believe what they’re doing is viable. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/183 "2016-07-26T20:40:26Z")
Slight update… [http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/local\_news/20160726/solar\_roadway\_project\_crystallizing\_](http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/local_news/20160726/solar_roadway_project_crystallizing_) ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/184 "2016-07-27T01:19:28Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > …says some unidentified person supposedly associated with the “Wyoming Institute of Technology”, for which the only search hit of any kind is the linked article mentioning it. On the “About” page of the WIT, it says it was founded by Matt Stone, better known as the guy who writes _South Park_. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/185 "2016-07-27T01:22:03Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > Slight update… > > [http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/local\_news/20160726/solar\_roadway\_project\_crystallizing\_](http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/local_news/20160726/solar_roadway_project_crystallizing_) This sounds like a public square or a sidewalk, which is different from a highway. For one thing it doesn’t have to withstand constant high speed vehicle traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/186 "2016-07-27T14:54:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > [Solar panels actually drain the sun of it’s energy!](http://nationalreport.net/solar-panels-drain-suns-energy-experts-say/) > > I’m reading this trying to find the catch…_“the study was commissioned in August 2011 by the Halliburton corporation”_…there it is. > > I hope the people that actually did the study are laughed out of the scientific community. Are you sure it isn’t a parody. It is just so absurd. What is this Wyoming Institute of Technology? Why haven’t Cruz and Palin publicized it more? Cruz is too smart to fall for this BS. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/187 "2016-07-27T14:59:49Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > On the “About” page of the WIT, it says it was founded by Matt Stone, better known as the guy who writes _South Park_. It’s a sister college of Wassamatta U. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/188 "2016-07-27T15:34:16Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Are you sure it isn’t a parody. It is just so absurd. What is this Wyoming Institute of Technology? Why haven’t Cruz and Palin publicized it more? Cruz is too smart to fall for this BS. The website, [nationalreport.net](http://nationalreport.net), certainly seems to be a humor site. Sort of a cross between the Onion and our own Stupid Republican Idea of the Day thread. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/189 "2016-07-27T15:45:26Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > The website, [nationalreport.net](http://nationalreport.net), certainly seems to be a humor site. Sort of a cross between the Onion and our own Stupid Republican Idea of the Day thread. As their own [disclaimer page](http://nationalreport.net/disclaimer/) states: > [@disclaimer no one ever seems to read](#): > > National Report is a news and political **satire web publication** , which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. **All news articles contained within National Report are fiction, and presumably fake news. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental.** Advice given is NOT to be construed as professional. If you are in need of professional help, please consult a professional. National Report is not intended for children under the age of 18. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/190 "2016-09-23T21:55:50Z")
Almost here. Anybody coming to the grand opening?😃 [September 30 demonstration](http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/local_news/20160922/solar_roadways_project_unveiling_set) ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/191 "2016-09-24T10:10:39Z")
More details ([and a picture) here.](http://www.sandpointidaho.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1136/1417). I note that it’s now a Solar Freakin Cycleway now: > [@](#): > > Located in downtown Sandpoint, the project encompasses 150 square feet of the Town Square and the project will provide for proof of concept testing of the Solar Roadways SR3 panel in a pedestrian/bicycle application. Here’s another [good summary article](http://www.curbed.com/2016/9/19/12958322/infrastructure-solar-power-solar-roadways-green-design)covering Solar Road, Wattway and Sola road (a Dutch version). ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/192 "2016-09-24T21:03:30Z")
Thanks for that article\*\* lisiate\*\*. It looks like the Europeans are a little ahead of us. ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/193 "2016-10-02T19:59:26Z")
**ITS ALIVE** Should be link to [live webcam](http://www.cityofsandpoint.com/visiting-sandpoint/solar-roadways#ad-image-5) I went to the grand opening ceremony Friday and was a little disappointed. They weren’t quite ready, it was still just a hole in the pavement. But, as of late Saturday night, it is done. Not a roadway, just a section of a public square, but the revolution has to start somewhere. This thread was started 2.5 years ago. I would say that this is pretty small progress for the money. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/194 "2016-10-02T20:08:38Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > This thread was started 2.5 years ago. I would say that this is pretty small progress for the money. Yeah, a little sidewalk in the middle of nowhere Kansas. Oh well, Zefram Cochrane build the first warp drive in Montana. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/195 "2016-10-02T20:51:57Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > **ITS ALIVE** > > Should be link to [live webcam](http://www.cityofsandpoint.com/visiting-sandpoint/solar-roadways#ad-image-5) > > I went to the grand opening ceremony Friday and was a little disappointed. They weren’t quite ready, it was still just a hole in the pavement. But, as of late Saturday night, it is done. Not a roadway, just a section of a public square, but the revolution has to start somewhere. > > This thread was started 2.5 years ago. I would say that this is pretty small progress for the money. It’s not very exciting. Shouldn’t it be lighting up or something? A small pedestrian park is not a highway. I still don’t think that this will ever be practical for highway use. In any case it’s not the most efficient way to do solar. But it’s all been covered in this thread already. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/196 "2016-10-02T22:43:03Z")
Solar Freakin’ Sidewalks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/197 "2016-10-03T06:22:51Z")
The criticism against solar roadways was never that it was impossible, simply that it was wildly uneconomical. A demonstration project doesn’t really address any of those concerns. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/198 "2016-10-03T08:24:21Z")
> [@steatopygia](#): > > **ITS ALIVE** > > Should be link to [live webcam](http://www.cityofsandpoint.com/visiting-sandpoint/solar-roadways#ad-image-5) I just took a look at the livecam. It seems what they have built is essentially an electric Twister board. Fun for bored Idahoan teenagers, but not much of an answer to America’s energy and transportation needs. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/199 "2016-10-03T12:48:20Z")
But America’s Twister needs will be a thing of the past! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129/200 "2016-10-03T16:33:10Z")
Are those test panels powering anything (besides themselves)? I don’t see them ever being a notable part of our road system but I’m sure they’d be swell for corporate courtyards or outdoor mall plazas and good for a few LEED credits if they can actually make something light up besides themselves. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-roadways/689129.md?page=11)